The remote control of the fourth Apple TV is a nice device, but there is one thing that is annoying: typing. Fortunately, there is a solution for this thanks to the Remote app.
Apple TV Remote app
Anyone who has installed their Apple TV has probably noticed that typing with the Apple TV remote is not very convenient. This is annoying, because you will have to enter a password regularly (for example when purchasing apps). And if you want to search, you can’t do that via Siri, because the voice assistant is not yet available for the Apple TV in the Netherlands and Belgium.
That means that you are dependent on typing with the remote control. The screen shows letters and a special character in a row, which you can swipe through on the touchpad. Selecting is clicking. Typing this way takes a while is simply not convenient. Really a flaw of the new Apple TV. Fortunately, there is a Remote app for iOS, so you can just type in search terms on your iPhone.
This is how you connect the app
Remote is an app from Apple that has been around for a while. However, it was updated at the end of last year, so that you can also use it for the new Apple TV. To start, we describe how to link the app to your Apple TV. Note: this requires the latest version of the software on your Apple TV and the latest version of the Remote app.
- Open the Remote app on iOS;
- Select ‘Add device’ (if you do not see the option, then switch off ‘Home Sharing’ via ‘Settings’);
- A four-digit code to pair Remote will appear;
- On the Apple TV, go to Settings;
- Select ‘Remotes and Devices’ and then ‘App Remote’;
- Select the name of your iOS device and enter the code.
The devices are now paired. If you want to use the iPhone as a remote control for the Apple TV, select the Apple TV in the main menu. Then you turn your iPhone into a remote control. Most of the app functions as a touchpad. By swiping the screen, you navigate through the menus of the Apple TV. There is also a Menu button, an option button and a Play / Pause button for videos.
Enter text
With the app you actually replace the Apple TV remote control in the menus. If you are going to play games, you often have to use the remote control. Where the Remote app really proves its worth is when you want to enter text. You no longer have to swipe each letter, just type it in on the iOS keyboard.
The Apple TV is largely equipped for voice control via Siri. However, that option is not available in the Netherlands and Belgium, which is why we have to rely on keyboards. The Siri button on the remote simply opens a search screen with a series of letters and characters. It is not yet known when support for speech will be available in the Netherlands.
